2016 Colorado Proposition 106

Ballot measure legalizing assisted dying in Colorado February 2026 2016 Colorado Proposition 106 November 8, 2016 Colorado Access to Medical Aid in Dying Initiative 1,765,786 956,263 2,722,049 250px County results Yes #28497C 80–90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #47729E 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Proposition 106, also known as the Access to Medical Aid in Dying Initiative, was an initiated state statute that appeared on the November 8, 2016, ballot in the state of Colorado. The measure enacted the End of Life Options Act, legalizing assisted dying for patients with a terminal illness who are expected to die within six months.Colorado Proposition 106, Physician-Assisted Death Initiative (2016) https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Proposition_106,_Physician-Assisted_Death_Initiative_(2016) Ballotpedia 2 February 2026 en The proposition was approved by nearly 65% of Colorado voters, making Colorado the sixth U.S. state to legalize assisted dying.Cosmer Tyler Assisted Suicide Heads to Colorado https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/bioethics/article/view/6004 Voices in Bioethics 3 February 2026 en 10.7916/vib.v3i.6004 9 March 2017 Colorado is now the sixth in the United States to sanction physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill citizens, joining Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, and Vermont Led by assisted dying advocacy group Compassion & Choices, proponents of Proposition 106 included then-governor John Hickenlooper and a number of Democratic state lawmakers. The measure faced opposition from religious organizations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as some disability rights advocates, who criticized the measure's lack of safeguards against coercion. Following the proposition's approval, nearly one-third of Colorado hospitals and some of the state's largest healthcare providers chose not to facilitate assisted dying, resulting in disputes over the implementation of the law. In 2019, a terminally ill patient and his physician sued Catholic/Adventist healthcare provider Centura Health for refusing to prescribe aid-in-dying medication. A separate federal lawsuit filed in 2025 challenged the law's Colorado residency requirement on constitutional grounds, but was voluntarily dismissed later that year following the plaintiff's death. Background Legislative efforts Democratic legislators Lois Court and Joann Ginal first introduced assisted suicide legislation in February 2015 to the Colorado House of Representatives, with the bill failing 8–5 in the relevant committee.It's back - Colorado faces another push for assisted suicide https://angelusnews.com/news/life-family/its-back-colorado-faces-another-push-for-assisted-suicide/ Angelus News 2 February 2026 20 January 2016 In 2016, Court and Ginal proposed similar legislation, but withdrew the bill the morning it was due to be voted on after realizing they had insufficient support from colleagues.Birkeland Bente Colorado End-Of-Life Options Bill Is Pulled At The Capitol https://www.cpr.org/2016/02/26/colorado-end-of-life-options-bill-is-pulled-at-the-capitol/ Colorado Public Radio 5 February 2026 en 26 February 2016 That same year, the Access to Medical Aid in Dying Initiative was certified for the November 2016 ballot after returning 160,000 voter signatures of support to the Colorado secretary of state.Right-to-die campaign turns in 160,000 signatures to put measure on ballot https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/04/right-to-die-colorado-ballot-measure-signatures/ The Denver Post 2 February 2026 4 August 2016 The wording of the proposition was modeled on Oregon's Measure 16, which legalized assisted dying in the state in 1994.Proposition 106 in Colorado: What you need to know about medical aid in dying https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/23/proposition106-medical-aid-in-dying/ The Denver Post 5 February 2026 24 September 2016 Effect Before the End of Life Options Act went into effect on December 16, 2016,Migoya David Colorado medical-aid-in-dying law signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper, takes effect immediately https://www.denverpost.com/2016/12/16/medical-aid-in-dying-law-takes-effect/ The Denver Post 23 October 2026 16 December 2016 aiding another person in ending their life was a crime of felony manslaughter in Colorado, with assisted dying legalized in only five states.California, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.Domonoske Camila 4 States Opt To Raise Minimum Wage; 7 Loosen Marijuana Laws https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/09/501350808/4-states-opt-to-raise-minimum-wage-6-loosen-marijuana-laws NPR en 9 November 2016 Colorado is only the sixth state to approve some form of physician-assisted death. After Proposition 106 went into effect, aiding the assisting dying process was decriminalized, though patients must self-administer the aid-in-dying medication after receiving a prescription from a doctor.In 2024, the legislation was updated to expand the ability to evaluate terminally ill patients and prescribe aid-in-dying medication to advanced practice registered nurses. Proposition 106 permits terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or lessAgreed Must be agreed upon by two separate physicians. to self-administer drugs in order to voluntarily end their lives. Patients must be over 18, mentally capable,Agreed able to make an informed decision, and able to self-administer and ingest the drugs. To be eligible for assisted dying, a patient must write one written request with two witnesses present, as well as two verbal requests. Legally, patients must be informed that they can opt out of taking aid-in-dying medication after they receive it.About the Colorado End of Life Options Act - Compassion & Choices https://compassionandchoices.org/in-your-state/colorado/for-patients/ Compassion & Choices 4 February 2026 The proposition also allows terminally ill patients to have aid-in-dying medication directly prescribed to them by a physician, rather than go through a health system. Health providers and facilities are not legally required by Proposition 106 to prescribe or dispense aid-in-dying medication. The End of Life Options Act also criminalized coercing a terminally ill patient into requesting aid-in-dying drugs, though hospital staff and physicians "acting in good faith" under the act were granted immunity from civil and criminal liability.A Hospital Guide to the Colorado End-of-Life Options Act https://cha.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Colorado-Hospital-Association-A-Hospital-Guide-to-the-Colorado-End-of-Life-Options-Act-Version-2-0.pdf Colorado Hospital Association 4 February 2026 December 2016 Campaign Support Compassion & Choices, which advocates for the legalization of assisted dying, raised over $5 million in support of Proposition 106. The organization argued that patients facing an "agonizing, painful death" should have the right to end their lives.Proposition 106, Medical Aid In Dying Explained https://www.cpr.org/2016/10/11/proposition-106-medical-aid-in-dying-explained/ Colorado Public Radio 3 February 2026 en 11 October 2016 Prominent individual donors included author T. A. Barron, art collector Hester Diamond, and philanthropist Eleanor Caulkins.YES ON COLORADO END OF LIFE OPTIONS top donors in 2016 https://www.opensecrets.org/ballot-measures/committees/yes-on-colorado-end-of-life-options/41754757/2016 OpenSecrets 5 February 2026 en Speaking to Colorado Public Radio in September 2016, then-governor John Hickenlooper expressed support for Proposition 106 and said that "maybe it's the Libertarian streak in me, but ... [terminally ill patients should] have the final say themselves". Hickenlooper noted his disagreement with the use of the word 'suicide' by opponents of the proposition, saying "these people are going to die anyway". Julie Selsberg, one of the two citizens who started the initiative to put the End of Life Options Act on the ballot, told Westword she had begun to advocate for medical aid-in-dying after her terminally ill father was unable to receive aid-in-dying drugs before his death. Selsberg's father requested she write to state legislators to persuade them into introducing assisted dying for Colorado residents, despite knowing he would not live long enough to take advantage of his proposal.Roberts Michael Why You Should Vote Yes for Proposition 106, Regarding End-of-Life Options https://www.westword.com/news/why-you-should-vote-yes-for-proposition-106-regarding-end-of-life-options-8397608/ Denver Westword 3 February 2026 20 October 2016 Her father also asked legislators to introduce assisted dying bills in an opinion piece for The Denver Post titled "Please, I want to die",Selsberg Charles Please, I want to die https://www.denverpost.com/2014/02/27/please-i-want-to-die/ The Denver Post 3 February 2026 27 February 2014 prompting his local state representative Lois Court to reply promising to legislate for assisted dying medication. Court's response was read by Selsberg to her father shortly before he died by choosing to stop taking any nutrition in the absence of aid-in-dying drugs. Court and fellow representative Joann Ginal went on to unsuccessfully propose assisted dying legislation for multiple years before Selsberg had the opportunity to propose a citizen-initiated ballot measure, which both legislators quickly endorsed. Opposition Proposition 106 received widespread opposition from religious groups, including both local and national archdioceses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Archdiocese of Denver donated more than $1.6 million to a committee campaigning against Proposition 106,NO ASSISTED SUICIDE COLORADO top donors in 2016 https://www.opensecrets.org/ballot-measures/committees/no-assisted-suicide-colorado/41754752/2016 OpenSecrets 5 February 2026 en while evangelical organization Focus on the Family donated $20,000. Business executive Richard D. McCormick and Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts donated $10,000 each, making them the largest individual donors against Proposition 106. Colorado Christian University and the Archdiocese of Denver described the proposition as "fatally flawed", arguing that the measure lacked wording to prohibit patients from doctor shopping to receive a prescription for aid-in-dying drugs. Thomas S. Monson, the then-president of the LDS Church, and his counselors issued a letter to Colorado's Mormon community urging them to "let their voices be heard in opposition to measures that would legalize physician-assisted suicide."Walch Tad LDS leaders ask Mormons to oppose legalization of assisted suicide, recreational marijuana https://www.deseret.com/2016/10/13/20598237/lds-leaders-ask-mormons-to-oppose-legalization-of-assisted-suicide-recreational-marijuana/ Deseret News 3 February 2026 en 14 October 2016 The letter noted that while Mormons are permitted discretion regarding end-of-life decisions for their relatives, the church's policy guide Handbook 2 explicitly discourages ending a life "even when the person may be suffering from an incurable condition or disease." thumb|260px|Not Dead Yet activists protesting against assisted dying in 2015 Disability rights group Not Dead Yet opposed Proposition 106.Medically Assisted Death Vote: A Fight Over 'Options' And 'Mistakes' https://www.cpr.org/2016/10/05/medically-assisted-death-vote-a-fight-over-options-and-mistakes/ Colorado Public Radio 23 October 2026 en 5 October 2016 Carrie Ann Lucas, a member of Not Dead Yet Colorado, said that the End of Life Options Act lacks safeguards to prevent terminally ill patients from being pressured into taking aid-in-dying medication. Lucas also criticized the bill for not requiring an unaffiliated witness to be present while the patient self-administers the medication.Fulcher Michelle P. Debate: Coloradans Will Vote On Medically Assisted Death Proposal (Transcript) https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/debate-coloradans-will-vote-on-medically-assisted-death-proposal-transcript/ Colorado Public Radio 5 February 2026 en 27 September 2016 Some opponents of Proposition 106 believed legalizing assisted dying would worsen Colorado's suicide rates, which were the seventh highest in the nation at the time. The Colorado Springs Gazette opposed the proposition in an editorial piece, calling suicide a "crisis" that would be worsened by the legalization of assisted dying, while The Denver Post said Proposition 106 "lacks proper safeguards" to prevent misuse and could increase the state's suicide rates.No on Proposition 106: Aid-in-dying measure lacks proper safeguards https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/11/no-on-proposition-106-aid-in-dying-measure-lacks-proper-safeguards/ The Denver Post 3 February 2026 12 October 2016 Similarly, leading Catholic bishops criticized supporters for "promot[ing] and/or facilitat[ing] suicide ... while recognizing suicide as a serious statewide public health concern", in reference to a statewide zero-suicide initiative introduced two years prior. Endorsements Yes 60 Statewide officials John Hickenlooper, governor of Colorado (2011–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Estabrook Rachel Governor Backs Minimum Wage And Tobacco Tax Hikes, Medically Assisted Death http://www.cpr.org/news/story/gov-hickenlooper-will-vote-for-minimum-wage-and-tobacco-tax-hikes-medically-assisted Colorado Public Radio 2 February 2026 en 29 September 2016Since 2021, Hickenlooper has represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate.John W. Hickenlooper https://www.congress.gov/member/john-hickenlooper/H000273 Congress 10 January 2026 Cary Kennedy, former state treasurer of Colorado (2007–2011) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) J.D. MacFarlane, former attorney general of Colorado (1975–1983) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) State legislators Greg Brophy, former state senator from the 1st district (2005–2015) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Joann Ginal, state representative from the 52nd district (2013–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Lois Court, state representative from the 6th district (2009–2017) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Lucía Guzmán, state senator from the 34th district (2010–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Michael Merrifield, state senator from the 11th district (2015–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Individuals Dan Diaz, consultant and widower of Brittany MaynardStewart Marc Right-to-die issue center stage for November https://www.denver7.com/news/politics/right-to-die-campaign-in-colorado-gets-support-from-high-profile-case Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) 2 February 2026 en 28 September 2016 Political parties Libertarian Party of ColoradoBallot Issues 2016 https://lpcolorado.org/ballot-issues-2016/ Libertarian Party of Colorado 2 February 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014152112/https://lpcolorado.org/ballot-issues-2016/ 14 October 2019 dead Organizations ACLU of ColoradoACLU of Colorado Supports Aid in Dying https://www.aclu-co.org/news/aclu-colorado-supports-aid-dying/ ACLU of Colorado 2 February 2026 17 October 2016 Compassion & ChoicesColoradans Overwhelmingly Vote in Favor of End-of-Life Options https://compassionandchoices.org/news/coloradans-overwhelmingly-vote-favor-end-life-options/ Compassion & Choices 3 February 2026 9 November 2016 Denver Medical Society ProgressNowProposition 106, 107, 108 Have Potential to Reshape Colorado Politics https://thecatalystnews.com/2016/11/05/proposition-106-107-108-have-potential-to-reshape-colorado-politics/ The Catalyst 2 February 2026 5 November 2016 NARAL Pro-ChoiceColorado voters may legalize assisted suicide https://www.brnow.org/news/Colorado-voters-may-legalize-assisted-suicide/ Biblical Recorder 2 February 2026 2 November 2016 Newspapers Aurora Sentinel ColoradoanEditorial: End of Life Act provides choices https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/2016/10/26/editorial-end-life-act-provides-choices/92695966/ Fort Collins Coloradoan 18 April 2026 26 October 2016 Colorado Springs IndependentBusy ballot, tough choices for Colorado voters https://csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 Colorado Springs Independent 2 February 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20161024003432/https://csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 24 October 2016 Greeley TribuneTribune Opinion: We're opposed to Colorado's universal health care amendment, other constitutional measures; we support aid in dying, primary changes https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/opinion/tribune-opinion-were-opposed-to-colorados-universal-health-care-amendment-other-constitutional-measures-we-support-aid-in-dying-primary-changes/# Greeley Tribune 2 February 2026 14 October 2016 The Pueblo ChieftainProposition 106: The right to die; the time has come https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/politics/2016/10/15/proposition-106-right-to-die/9209775007/ Pueblo Chieftain 3 February 2026 15 October 2016 The Durango HeraldProposition 106: Medical aid-in-dying offers some control to terminally ill https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/proposition-106-medical-aid-in-dying-offers-some-control-to-terminally-ill/ Durango Herald 5 February 2026 16 October 2016 No 60 U.S. representatives Bob Beauprez, former CO-07 (2003–2007) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Viewpoint: Why a former Colorado congressman opposes the right-to-die measure on the fall ballot https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/10/12/viewpoint-why-a-former-colorado-congressman.html Denver Business Journal 23 October 2026 12 October 2016 Doug Lamborn, CO-05 (2007–2025) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Ramstack Tom Colorado's doctor-assisted suicide risks legal dispute if voters approve https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/04/colorados-doctor-assisted-suicide-risks-legal-dispute-if-voters-approve/ Colorado Politics 4 November 2016 Opponents of doctor-assisted suicide say low-income patients might feel pressured to end their lives sooner than persons with more resources. One of them is U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado Springs). "I have serious concerns and objections with Proposition 106 and must oppose it," Statewide officials Pete Ricketts, governor of Nebraska (2015–2023) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Miller Blair 7 things to know about Proposition 106 https://www.denver7.com/news/politics/know-your-vote-7-things-to-know-about-proposition-106-the-right-to-die-ballot-initiative Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) 2 February 2026 en 20 October 2016 State legislators Larry Crowder, state senator from the 35th district (2013–2021) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Quinn Mattie Colorado Strengthens Physician-Assisted Suicide Movement https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-assisted-suicide-colorado-2016-ballot-measure.html Governing 23 October 2026 en 13 October 2016 Individuals Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2008–2018) Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS (2008–2018) Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS (2008–2018) Organizations Archdiocese of Denver Archdiocese of Kansas City Archdiocese of Colorado Springs Colorado Christian University Colson Center Focus on the Family The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsLDS Church urges members to oppose ballot issues in 4 Western states; social media weighs in https://gephardtdaily.com/local/lds-church-ballot-issue-letters/ Gephardt Daily 2 February 2026 15 October 2016 Newspapers Colorado Springs Gazette The Denver Post Longmont Times-CallEditorial: Choose 'yes' to shorten the Colorado ballot https://www.timescall.com/2016/09/30/editorial-choose-yes-to-shorten-the-colorado-ballot/ Longmont Times-Call 2 February 2026 30 September 2016 Loveland Reporter-HeraldChoose 'yes' to shorten the ballot https://www.reporterherald.com/2016/10/01/choose-yes-to-shorten-the-ballot/ Loveland Reporter-Herald 2 February 2026 1 October 2016 Declined to endorse Labor unions AFL-CIO ColoradoColorado AFL-CIO Releases Final List of 2016 Election Endorsements https://coaflcio.org/news/colorado-afl-cio-releases-final-list-2016-election-endorsements CO AFL-CIO 3 February 2026 en 14 September 2016 Organizations Colorado Medical SocietyDaley John Colorado Wrestles With Ethics Of Aid-In-Dying As Vote Looms https://www.kpbs.org/news/2016/10/11/colorado-wrestles-with-ethics-of-aid-in-dying-as KPBS Public Media 2 February 2026 en 11 October 2016 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error Yes No UndecidedFranklin & Marshall-Colorado Mesa UniversitySummary of Poll Findings https://www.coloradomesa.edu/social-research-center/documents/CMU-RMPBS-Poll_FINAL%209-22-16.pdf Colorado Mesa University 29 October 2025 22 September 2016September 14–18, 2016540 (RV)± 5.10%70%22%8% Results Proposition 106 1765786 956263 Colorado Secretary of State By county County For Against Total votes cast # % # % Adams116,982 62.48% 70,236 37.52% 187,218 Alamosa3,92457.16%2,94142.84%6,865 Arapahoe191,89964.39%106,12035.61%298,019 Archuleta4,44262.59%2,65537.41%7,097 Baca78937.77%1,30062.23%2,089 Bent 85445.38%1,02854.62%1,882 Boulder144,33179.43%37,38020.57%181,711 Broomfield25,39268.23%11,82331.77%37,215 Chaffee 7,46266.81% 3,707 33.19% 11,169 Cheyenne 398 36.58% 690 63.42% 1,088 Clear Creek 4,28174.01% 1,503 25.99% 5,784 Conejos 1,49237.73% 2,46262.27% 3,954 Costilla 93552.74% 83847.26% 1,773 Crowley 68145.43% 81854.57% 1,499 Custer 1,67454.92%1,37445.08%3,048 Delta 9,32856.15% 7,28643.85%16,614 Denver241,72074.70%81,88425.30%323,604 Dolores 68856.86%522 43.14%1,210 Douglas 113,66161.41%71,41938.59%185,080 Eagle 18,87877.04%5,62622.96%24,504 El Paso 173,13655.39% 139,43744.61%312,573 Elbert 8,91656.39%6,89643.61%15,812 Fremont 12,05155.57% 9,636 44.43%21,687 Garfield 17,84468.69%8,13431.31%25,978 Gilpin 2,68176.10% 84223.90% 3,523 Grand 5,87468.77% 2,66831.23% 8,542 Gunnison 7,16377.04% 2,13522.96%9,298 Hinsdale 38965.38%20634.62%595 Huerfano 2,21559.69%1,49640.31%3,711 Jackson 53664.58%294 35.42%830 Jefferson 215,34066.31%109,38433.69%324,724 Kiowa 333 40.46%49059.54%823 Kit Carson 1,662 46.10%1,94353.90%3,605 La Plata 22,13474.16% 7,71325.84% 29,847 Lake 2,18269.76%94630.24%3,128 Larimer 128,05167.00% 63,05733.00% 191,108 Las Animas 3,530 53.36%3,085 46.64%6,615 Lincoln 1,14647.99%1,24252.01%2,388 Logan 4,61548.33% 4,93451.67%9,549 Mesa 45,877 60.37% 30,118 39.63% 75,995 Mineral 440 68.54% 202 31.46% 642 Moffat 3,569 56.14% 2,788 43.86% 6,357 Montezuma 7,425 59.30%5,097 40.70%12,522 Montrose 11,87457.06% 8,934 42.94% 20,808 Morgan 5,95550.74% 5,78249.26% 11,737 Otero 3,97046.74% 4,52353.26% 8,493 Ouray 2,42174.47% 830 25.53% 3,251 Park 6,841 66.54% 3,440 33.46%10,281 Phillips 90339.43%1,38760.57%2,290 Pitkin 8,56585.47% 1,45614.53% 10,021 Prowers 2,15243.84%2,75756.16%4,909 Pueblo 45,02557.60%33,13742.40%78,162 Rio Blanco 1,81954.31%1,53045.69%3,349 Rio Grande 2,83851.02%2,72548.98%5,563 Routt 10,63377.29%3,12422.71%13,757 Saguache 1,73263.21%1,00836.79%2,740 San Juan 36777.26%108 22.73%475 San Miguel 3,57685.80%59214.20%4,168 Sedgwick69451.60%651 48.40%1,345 Summit 12,283 77.91% 3,483 22.08% 15,766 Teller 7,86855.72% 6,25244.28% 14,120 Washington 1,06339.58%1,62360.42%2,686 Weld 76,28557.73%55,85842.27%132,143 Yuma 2,002 42.51% 2,708 57.49%4,710Total 1,765,78664.87% 956,26335.13% 2,722,049 Analysis Almost four-fifths of Colorado's 64 counties supported Proposition 106, with 13 of the 14 counties in opposition to the proposition being in Eastern Colorado. Every county that voted against Proposition 106 concurrently voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, while all counties that supported Hillary Clinton also supported the proposition.Colorado Election Results 2016 https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/colorado The New York Times 3 February 2026 1 August 2017 28 counties voted for Trump while approving Proposition 106. Conejos County, which has a 45% Mormon population,Congregational Membership Reports US Religion https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/census/congregational-membership?y=2020&y2=0&t=0&c=08021#:~:text=Exact%20definitions%20of%20%22congregations%22%20and%20%22adherents%22%20vary,parishes%2C%20churches%2C%20synagogues%2C%20mosques%2C%20temples%2C%20or%20another The Association of Religion Data Archives (the ARDA) 3 February 2026 en-gb rejected Proposition 106 by a 24-point margin.Colorado Proposition 106 — Medical Aid in Dying — Results: Approved https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/colorado-ballot-measure-106-medical-aid-in-dying The New York Times 3 February 2026 1 August 2017 Quin Monson, a professor of political science at Brigham Young University, said before the election that public opposition to Proposition 106 from Church leaders would have a significant impact on the way Colorado's 145,000 Mormons would vote, stating that "[w]e have a lot of direct evidence that these messages work."Semerad Tony Mormon leaders send letter to voters urging opposition of recreational marijuana, medically assisted suicide https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4468616&itype=CMSID The Salt Lake Tribune 3 February 2026 14 October 2016 Aftermath From 2017 to 2021, a total of 777 Colorado residents were prescribed aid-in-dying drugs, with 583 of those prescriptions dispensed. February 1, 2022 Colorado End-of-Life Options Act, Year Five: 2021 Data Summary, with 2017-2021 Trends and Totals https://www.house.mn.gov/comm/docs/UCi3aI3CikGTWw-zCFpWNg.pdf 16 June 2025 Colorado House of Representatives Almost 75% of those prescribed aid-in-dying medication were over 65 years old, while 85% were in hospice care. As of 2017, around two thirds of Colorado hospitals have chosen to offer medical aid-in-dying, including Denver Health.About 30 hospitals opting out of Colorado's medical aid-in-dying law https://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/26/30-hospitals-opting-out-colorado-medical-aid-in-dying-law/ The Denver Post 3 February 2026 26 January 2017End of Life Options https://www.denverhealth.org/patients-visitors/amenities-experience/end-of-life-options Denver Health 3 February 2026 en Health systems Centura Health, SCL Health, and HealthOne chose not to change their practices after Proposition 106,Graham Judith Colorado's aid-in-dying law in disarray as big Catholic health systems opt out https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/19/aid-in-dying-catholic-hospitals-colorado/ STAT 23 October 2026 19 January 2017 while UCHealth and Kaiser Permanente Colorado began to adopt medical aid-in-dying. After over 30 Colorado hospitals announced they would not offer medical aid-in-dying, supporters of the End of Life Options Act warned that hospitals cannot prohibit doctors from writing prescriptions for aid-in-dying drugs that patients would self-administer at home. A spokesperson for Compassion & Choices said that "it's quite frankly despicable that a hospital would hedge their bet on whether a terminally ill person wants to wage a legal battle in the last few months of their life," foreseeing that patients would file a lawsuit to force non-participating hospitals to prescribe them aid-in-dying drugs. Legal challenges In August 2019, a terminally ill patient, Cornelius "Neil" Mahoney, and his doctor, Barbara Morris, filed a lawsuit against Centura Health for prohibiting Morris from prescribing aid-in-dying medication to Mahoney.Pampuro Amanda Terminally Ill Man Sues Hospital Over Aid-In-Death Medication https://www.courthousenews.com/terminally-ill-man-sues-hospital-over-aid-in-death-medication/ Courthouse News Service 3 February 2026 en-us 22 August 2019 Morris worked for a Centura hospital and personally supported Mahoney's right to end his life, but was overruled by her employer – a Catholic hospital which has described assisted dying as "intrinsically evil" and "morally unacceptable".Terminally Ill, He Wanted Aid-In-Dying. His Catholic Hospital Said No. https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/terminally-wanted-aidindying-catholic-hospital-said Cancer Health 3 February 2026 en 6 March 2020 Mahoney and Morris asked the court to prohibit Centura Health from penalizing any doctor who prescribes aid-in-dying medication, and Morris was subsequently fired by the hospital.Law Tara Colorado Doctor Fired After Suing to Provide Aid-in-Dying Medication https://time.com/5666225/colorado-doctor-fired-aid-in-dying-medication/ TIME 3 February 2026 4 September 2019 en In their response, the hospital claimed that they were protected under the First Amendment and that prescribing patients with aid-in-dying medication would violate the Hippocratic Oath.Smith Samuel Christian health system fires doctor who wanted to assist in patient's suicide https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-health-system-fires-doctor-who-wanted-assist-patients-suicide.html Christian Post 23 October 2026 en 4 September 2019 Mahoney ended his life in November 2019 after being prescribed aid-in-dying drugs by a family physician, and the following month, Centura Health filed a counterclaim asking a judge to declare that a healthcare organization cannot be forced to allow its employees to support or carry out provisions of the End of Life Options Act. While a district court sided with Centura Health, Morris appealed the decision and the Colorado Court of Appeals chose to reverse the lower court's ruling in April 2023.Karlik Michael Jury to decide whether Centura improperly fired doctor who supported aid-in-dying, appeals court rules https://www.coloradopolitics.com/courts/jury-to-decide-whether-centura-properly-fired-doctor-who-supported-aid-in-dying/article_6632cd2c-db0c-11ed-93bf-a726c002bdef.html Colorado Politics 3 February 2026 14 April 2023 Eight months later, the Supreme Court of Colorado denied Centura Health's application for a writ of certiorari and declined to review the decision made in the Court of Appeals;Centura Application for Extension of Time https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23A837/302724/20240308185604363_Centura%20Application%20for%20Extension%20of%20Time%20and%20Exhibits%20FINAL.pdf Supreme Court 3 February 2026 8 March 2024 the case was later settled.Warner Ryan This doctor was fired over medical aid in dying. Now she helps patients and providers navigate Colorado's law https://www.cpr.org/2024/12/02/interview-barbara-morris-medical-aid-in-dying/ Colorado Public Radio 3 February 2026 en 2 December 2024 In May 2025, advocacy group Compassion & Choices filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a Minnesota resident and two Colorado physicians – including Barbara Morris – arguing that a requirement in Colorado's law that a patient seeking aid-in-dying medication must reside in the state violates the United States Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment.Medical aid-in-dying group sues Colorado over state law's residency requirement https://www.denverpost.com/2025/05/22/medical-aid-dying-colorado-lawsuit-residency/ The Denver Post 3 February 2026 22 May 2025Group Files Lawsuit Challenging Residency Mandate of Medical Aid-in-Dying Law https://compassionandchoices.org/news/group-files-lawsuit-challenging-residency-mandate-of-medical-aid-in-dying-law/ Compassion & Choices 3 February 2026 In November of the same year, Compassion & Choices voluntarily dismissed the case after the Minnesota-based patient died.McComas v. Polis https://compassionandchoices.org/case/mccomas-v-polis/ Compassion & Choices 3 February 2026 Further debate and legislation In 2022, Denver-based doctor Jennifer Gaudiani published a case study in which she revealed she had helped three patients with anorexia nervosa access aid-in-dying medication.Brown Jennifer Denver doctor helped patients with severe anorexia obtain aid-in-dying medication, spurring national ethics debate https://coloradosun.com/2022/03/14/denver-doctor-gaudiani-aid-in-dying-aneroexia-patients/ The Colorado Sun 3 February 2026 14 March 2022 The paper also advocated for legalizing assisted dying for patients dying of anorexia,Gaudiani Jennifer L. Bogetz Alyssa Yager Joel Terminal anorexia nervosa: three cases and proposed clinical characteristics https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-022-00548-3 Journal of Eating Disorders 3 February 2026 23 free en 10.1186/s40337-022-00548-3 15 February 2022 a position criticized by the director of the eating disorders program at Johns Hopkins Hospital as "alarming" and "fraught with problems." In an opinion piece with the National Review, philosopher Wesley J. Smith called the case study "awful" and accused Gaudiani of abandoning her patients.Pushing Assisted Suicide for 'Terminal' Anorexia https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/pushing-assisted-suicide-for-terminal-anorexia/ National Review 3 February 2026 21 February 2022 Senate Bill 68 In early 2024, assisted dying supporters began to advocate for new legislation to increase access to aid-in-dying drugs.Aid in Dying Should be More Equitable, Accessible in CO https://deathwithdignity.org/news/2024/03/dwd-should-be-more-equitable-in-co/ Death with Dignity 3 February 2026 1 March 2024 Writing for The Colorado Sun, one advocate referenced Proposition 106's passing by saying that "statewide support for the option of medical aid-in-dying does not equate to reasonable access to the resources needed to obtain it", while criticizing the state's 15-day waiting period between the two mandatory verbal requests required to be eligible for aid-in-dying drugs as "unnecessary red tape".Fry Ashley D. Opinion: Coloradans need greater equity to end-of-life care options, and new bill would help https://coloradosun.com/2024/02/27/opinion-colorado-aid-dying-bill-support/ The Colorado Sun 3 February 2026 27 February 2024 In January 2024, Ginal, now a member of the Colorado Senate, and state representative Kyle Brown sponsored Senate Bill 68,SB24-068 Medical Aid-in-Dying https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-068 Colorado General Assembly 23 October 2026 en which sought to expand access to assisted dying by reducing the waiting period from 15 days to a week.Birkeland Bente Terminally ill patients in Colorado can use medication to end their lives. Now, a new proposal aims to make it more accessible https://www.cpr.org/2024/03/04/terminally-ill-patients-in-colorado-can-use-medication-to-end-their-lives-now-a-new-proposal-aims-to-make-it-more-accessible/ Colorado Public Radio 23 October 2026 en 4 March 2024 The bill, which was approved by both chambers of the Colorado state legislature before being signed into law on June 5, 2024, also allows advanced practice registered nurses to approve aid-in-dying medication and permits physicians to waive the waiting period in cases where a patient is unlikely to survive more than 48 hours but meets the other qualifications for eligibility. See also 1994 Oregon Ballot Measure 16 2012 Massachusetts Question 2 Washington Death with Dignity Act Notes References Colorado Proposition 106 Colorado Proposition 106 Proposition 106 Category:Assisted dying legislation Category:Colorado law